Editor’s Note: CNN Insider Guides are thoroughly checked for accuracy. Given the fluid nature of the travel industry, however, some listings may fall out of date before guides can be updated. The best practice is to confirm current information on official websites before making plans to visit any business or attraction.
With all there is to see and do in South America’s largest city, the sheer size of the metropolis often stuns the uninitiated visitor.
Winding, one-way roads, steep hills and vastly different neighborhoods mean you’ll need a plan in place to get the most out of your stay.
Don’t despair – getting to the locations that showcase the best of São Paulo isn’t as hard as it might seem.
While you’re in Brazil anyway … Rio de Janeiro: Insider Travel Guide
Hotels
Luxury
Hotel Fasano
Stepping through the entrance of the Hotel Fasano, you’re transported to the early 20th century, when a hotel experience was geared toward wealthy travelers expecting luxury.
Warm, wooden decor and a grinning bartender convince you that wherever you’d planned to rush off to can wait.
Guest rooms are no less alluring, a mix of modern and ’50s style mod, full of amenities like iPod stations, soaking tubs, towel warmers and panoramic views.
Outside its walls you’ll find all the additional luxuries of São Paulo’s best neighborhood on the famous street, Rua Oscar Freire, and surrounding roads.
Hotel Unique
Architecture critic Paul Goldberger has called Hotel Unique “one of the seven wonders of the modern world.”
Is it a ship? Some kind of space vehicle?
Guests might never figure out what the massive, metallic semi-sphere is meant to be. But inside this best of São Paulo hotel there are plenty of interesting spaces in which to contemplate the question, including poolside on a rooftop deck that overlooks the lovely Jardins area of the city.
Emiliano
If you’re touring São Paulo by helicopter (which is best, considering the traffic), you’re in luck at the Emiliano; this hotel has a private, rooftop helicopter pad.
Staff will arrange for an attendant to unpack your suitcases and a chauffer to drive you around the city.
In house is the Champagne & Caviar Bar and upscale Emiliano Restaurant.
But the hotel is on Rua Oscar Freire, known for its high-end shops and restaurants, so there’ll be plenty of opportunities to continue a spree once you walk outside.
Mid-Range
Staybridge Suites São Paulo
Conveniently located in the Brascan Century Plaza, which has a movie theater and a number of restaurants, the Staybridge is close to one of São Paulo’s biggest business districts.
The modern design of the rooms against a backdrop of the city skyline creates a cool, urban feel.
The Staybridge has a gym and outdoor swimming pool (unheated, so beware before you jump in during the surprisingly cold São Paulo winter).
Mercure São Paulo Jardins
This member of the Mercure chain is in Jardins Paulista, close to São Paulo’s best restaurants and stores.
Hotel amenities include a gym, indoor swimming pool, sauna and a business center.
But since you’ll spend most of your time on the streets, it works well as a comfortable place to check your emails and rest your head.
Budget
Ibis Budget São Paulo Paulista
What was formerly the Formule 1 Hotel – built specifically for guest overflow during the Formula 1 season – is now managed by Accor Hotels.
The accommodations are basic, but the Rua da Consolação location means it’s within walking distance of a number of neighborhoods and the subway.
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Dining
D.O.M.
“Restaurant” magazine named this sophisticated Brazilian eatery, helmed by chef and author Alex Atala, the sixth best in the world.
Dishes use ingredients unique to Brazil, such as mushrooms from the Amazon and the medicinal beldroega from the Northeast.
These delicacies are best enjoyed in a tasting-menu format so you can sample a maximum amount of flavors.
Make reservations as soon as possible – locals sometimes wait months for a table.
If you don’t score a table at D.O.M., around the corner you’ll find Dalva e Dito, Atala’s other restaurant.
D.O.M., Rua Barão de Capanema, 549, Jardim Paulista; +55 (11) 3088 0761
Vento Haragano
Churrasco is Brazilian barbecue, but churrascarias take this simple concept to an extreme: various cuts and categories of meat are served at your table by an endless (until you end it) parade of wandering waiters.
The prime cut is called picanha (beef) – request it before moving on to other options.
Tip: don’t be too tempted by tapas placed on your table by the restaurant’s crafty staff – save space for the good stuff.
For the meat-averse, Vento Haragano – an obvious best of São Paulo pick – has an extensive salad bar with nearly everything else imaginable, including sushi, fine cheeses and antipastos. The restaurant also has a good selection of wines.
There’s an additional advantage for those traveling with children: a huge second-floor playroom complete with monitores (baby sitters) to keep the kids occupied.
Terraço Itália
Thanks to the large number of Italian immigrants in town, there’s no lack of cuisine from the country.
What Terraço Itália has on its competitors in the category, however, is the best view in São Paulo.
From both the 41st-floor restaurant and the 42nd-floor bar you can see a mile past forever while enjoying the restaurant’s Tuscan fare.
A stroll along the walkway outside will show you just how massive the city is.
Mercearia do Conde
The food is as appetizing as the atmosphere.
Mercearia means “grocery” and the establishment started out as a grocery store, then eventually evolved into a full-fledged eatery.
You’ll find both familiar and unfamiliar dishes on the fusion menu. An adventurous start would be the mix de entradas da casa (appetizers of the house) as a preview of the restaurant’s eclectic options.
Feijoada da Lana
Dried meat stew accompanied by beans, rice, the root-based farofa, fried collard greens called couve and sometimes a few slices of orange makes a simple, yet surprisingly delicious meal.
Feijoada da Lana serves a top-of-the-line version of the dish buffet-style, with a variety of complimentary cachaça (sugar-cane liquor) to accompany it.
Meals start with sopa de feijão, a black bean soup to which you can add garlic, green onions, bacon and even a bit of the cachaça.
The restaurant is rustic and offers garden-style seating as well as tables indoors.
Tip: you may find yourself waiting for a seat on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the traditional days for feijoada feasting.
Bar do Mané at Mercado Municipal
The mortadella sandwich is a famous São Paulo snack that uses a pile of Italian bologna-type sausage of the same name.
There are a number of places to pick one up at the Mercado Municipal, the city’s largest food market, but the most traditional is at the famous Bar do Mané, a best of São Paulo establishment that claims to have been stacking these sandwiches since 1933.
The most popular version is served hot with provolone cheese. It’s customary to drink it with chopp – Brazilian draft beer.
Nightlife
Boteco São Bento
A boteco is a corner bar where you might catch a group of elderly men drinking cachaça at any point during the day.
But in São Paulo, trendy “botecos” have fabulous food, creative caipirinhas (a cocktail made with cachaça and fruit) and live music.
Boteco São Bento is one such establishment that has capitalized on the concept.
It has everything a neighborhood boteco offers, but with more selection and sophistication, and still makes for a great local hangout.
Casa de Francisca
This Jardins home-turned-art-house-music-establishment is low key and cool in the way only a place that caters to old-school, alternative Brazilian jazz can be.
With tiny tables and a limited menu, the focus isn’t on coziness and cuisine (although the food, such as house-made gnocchi, is delicious).
No, when the lights go down and this multi-level space glimmers from its antique chandeliers to its candle-lit table lamps, the mood is beyond luxurious.
Tip: If you can’t secure a reservation, you can try asking about cancellations before they open the doors.
Alberta #3
This bar is named after Bob Dylan’s cover of “Alberta” and the chill mood matches the music honored.
The place transforms from pub to nightclub as the evening rolls on.
You’ll catch the hip, indie Brazilian crowd mellowing out until the dance tunes begin.
This is one of the best places in São Paulo for balada, an all-night party destination for young paulistanos (the demonym given to local residents).
Shopping
Havaianas
This ultra-comfortable flip-flop made of rubber from the Amazon now comes in far fancier options than the ones made famous in its original line.
At the flagship store on Rua Oscar Freire, you can create a custom pair or just trick out an existing sandal.
The shop also sells custom-made socks for these stylish sandals.
Tools & Toys
Need a new yacht?
Perhaps your helicopter is out of fashion?
Located in the ultra high-end Shopping Cidade Jardins, this best of São Paulo shop has plenty of big-ticket toys to choose from.
Even if you’re not in the market for a new Sea Doo or Ferrari, it’s fun to look around.
Tools & Toys, Shopping Cidade Jardim, 3/F, Av. Magalhães Castro, Morumbi; +55 (11) 3552 4000
Boutique Daslu
If your shopping objectives include Brazilian fashion, the best place to go is Boutique Daslu, where everything “in” is in the store.
The Daslu brand’s original style reflects the high-end trends of the city.
Boutique Daslu, Shopping JK Iguatemi, Avenida Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 2041, Vila Olímpia; see website for additional locations; +55 (11) 3152 6601
SP Night Market
Every month this shopping event brings together a number of boutique outlets in one hip, best of São Paulo location.
The theme is fashion and food, with vendors selling clothing, jewelry, accessories, art, wine, gourmet snacks, sweet treats and more.
Expect a welcome cocktail (free with admission) and some live music to loosen up your wallet.
SP Night Market, location and times vary, see website for details; R$20 ($10); +55 (11) 97962-1547
Attractions
Ibirapuera Park
Often compared to New York’s Central Park, this attraction has all you’d want from a city park, including museums, planetarium, café, concert hall and plenty of space to ride bikes, walk and play.
Famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer designed the buildings throughout Parque Ibirapuera, which means more than just the trees are aesthetically pleasing.
More on CNN: The legendary buildings of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer
Warning: the park gets crowded on weekends.
If you like your space, weekday or early Saturday morning visits are best.
Museum Afro Brasil
To understand the deep heritage of the Brazilian people, you must examine centuries of its history.
The best place in São Paulo to do so is the Museum Afro Brasil.
From the enchanting to the disturbing, this collection of paintings, costumes, indigenous and religious artifacts, and photography will immerse you in the story of how African and indigenous people influenced all that is today’s Brazilian culture.
It takes a couple of hours or more if you want to see it all; the museum has multiple rooms and levels, plus exhibit space.
MuBE
The Museu Brasileiro da Escultura is home to works that represent the contemporary pulse of the Brazilian artist.
Graffiti, multimedia and giant three-dimensional structures are just some of the visual sustenance you can consume at the museum.
Attached to the exhibit space, which includes a sculpture garden, is a restaurant where you can pick up some delicious Brazilian snacks or a full meal.
The museum hosts theater productions, music performances and movies.
Museum of Futebol and Pacaembu Stadium
There’s a common passion that holds the country together as a united front against all who would oppose it – futebol.
You’ll have a hard time finding a Brazilian who doesn’t follow a team.
To get to know the most important Brazilian pastime, the Museu do Futebol is the place to visit.
Inside Pacaembu Stadium, the museum hosts a number of high-tech and interactive exhibits that lead you through the history of the sport.
Coffee in São Paulo
Brazil is by far the world’s largest producer of coffee.
The development of São Paulo has been heavily influenced by Brazil’s coffee boom in the early 1800s.
Today, coffee is a big part of the social scene.
Brazilians love the drink and the city has some exceptional places to enjoy a cup.
Coffee place to see and be seen.
Santo Grão
At this popular coffee house, it’s not just about the café, but seeing and being seen.
The shop on Rua Oscar Freire is most often frequented by high-powered executives conducting private deals and ladies of luxury taking a break from their buying sprees.
You can buy sacks of the shop’s signature beans to take with you.
Santo Grão has a light menu and delicious juices.
It also offers a nice selection of wines, which means the shop stays busy from morning until the twilight hours.
Octavio Café
Not your typical coffee house, Octavio’s structure is expansive and shaped like a giant coffee bean.
It’s really more of a full-fledged restaurant than a café. It even has a happy hour.
The draw is the coffee and beans that come from Predregulho, Alta Mogiana, the region that’s famous for fabulous coffee.
The seating is set up for all sorts of scenarios, including business meetings or enjoying a cup alone.
Suplicy Café
The place to jump-start your day… or afternoon… or evening.
Founder Marco Suplicy comes from a long line of people with interest in coffee, and his pleasant shops reflect his passion for the brew.
The best of São Paulo café in Jardins caters to visitors to the shopping district.
In addition to a cup of coffee, you can get some smoothies and juices. Menu options are limited to what is in the glass case – mostly breads, sandwiches, quiches and desserts – but the shop’s blend of Brazilian beans is so savory you’ll want to grab a bag for the road.
